Jillian Kurtz

As of today, both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have called for a halt in the distribution of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines.

This halt comes four days after 400 people were vaccinated with the J&J COVID-19 vaccine on Friday on Florida Southern’s campus. 

In an abundance of caution, the halt is due to six recipients of the vaccine who have developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination, according to the New York Times

As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S., according to the CDC. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is meeting on Wednesday, April 14 to further review these cases and assess their potential significance. 

The cases of blot clotting have been deemed as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), which occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses. This prevents blood from draining out of the brain, forming a hemorrhage, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“I came out to get my vaccine because I felt it was like patriotic duty to be able to get a vaccine to forward the country and to pretty much close out the pandemic,” senior William Sailor said at the FSC vaccine clinic on Friday. 

Post from @floridasouthern.

Florida Southern’s second vaccine site planned for Wednesday, April 14 was postponed in response to the federal agencies’ guidance. 

“Due to federal health agencies pausing their distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the vaccine clinic on Wednesday has been postponed,” FSC Communications Specialist Jordan Weiland said in an email to The Southern. “We will continue to send messages on any updates regarding future vaccine clinics on campus. For health concerns, students may visit the Student Health Center or consult their physician. Dial 911 for all medical emergencies.”

Freshman John Christovich was planning on attending the Wednesday vaccination site at Florida Southern and receiving the J&J vaccine. 

“It was surprising to me that the FDA decided to stop distributing the [Johnson and Johnson] vaccine since there were mostly no serious side effects, but it does give me some hesitancy getting a vaccine in the future,” Christovich said. 

If you’ve received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and within three weeks develop these symptoms, contact your doctor. 

  • Severe headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Leg pain
  • Shortness of breath

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here